Two men involved in the distribution of Class A drugs in Benfleet have been sentenced to prison, following a successful year of cracking 150 county lines by Essex police.
On October 10, officers conducting proactive patrols in the Parkfields and Queensmere areas of Benfleet stopped and searched Mirgen Morina, 21, from West London. The search revealed small bags of suspected Class A drugs. A subsequent search of his address uncovered £4,500 in cash and more suspected drugs. Morina was charged with being involved in the supply of Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply, and possessing criminal property.
Following Morina’s arrest, further intelligence led to a second car being stopped on the same day in Parkfields. The driver, Alex-Vasilica Rarinca, 29, from the Castle Point area, was arrested after officers found his phone, which contained messages detailing drug transactions and customer meetings. Rarinca was charged and pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Both men appeared at Basildon Crown Court on November 18, 2024, and were sentenced on February 3. Morina received a sentence of three years and two months in prison, while Rarinca was jailed for two years. The court also ordered the forfeiture of cash, drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
Sergeant Adam Jarvis, who led the investigation, stated, “Dealing drugs is a dangerous crime that leads to significant prison sentences. In Essex, we take a strong stance against drug-related offenses, as they contribute to violent crime. Our dedicated teams are actively dismantling and disrupting criminal operations.”
In 2024, Essex police cracked 150 county lines, securing more than 1,000 years in prison sentences for offenders.
